Notre Dame over Alabama? It makes for a great story, particularly for this area.

Just two springs ago, coach Brian Kelly visited Hilton Head’s Notre Dame Alumni Club promising to make the Irish football program as relevant as the St. Patrick’s Day parade.

The media asked Kelly about a timetable to bring Notre Dame back to national prominence.

“Nobody has patience or the time for a 5-year plan or a 3-year plan,” Kelly told us.

“Our (goal) at Notre Dame is to get back to a BCS game that hopefully draws an SEC team so we can start to reverse that trend of where they think the best football is in the country because the SEC can hold that (claim) now.”

Well, Kelly and the Irish have arrived at their destination with the speed of a lead-footed taxi driver. They’re No. 1 in the nation, and they’re about to collide with the best of the SEC. Everything they’ve hoped for is now just hours away.

Most of America and at least one European country I suspect are rooting for them.

If this was a movie, Notre Dame would be in a good shape. George Gipp provides the inspiration. Divine intervention clears a hole through Alabama’s defensive line. Rudy is carried off on teammates’ shoulders after executing a perfect play drawn up by Rockne and Leahy.

But reality will set in for the Golden Domers tonight. Few under 60 have ever heard of George Gipp and it will take more than divine intervention to poke holes in the Crimson Tide’s line.

Kelly will be alone trying to make good college players successful against a defense filled with potential pros.

And Rudy won’t be found amid the flowing confetti.

Of course, everyone’s hoping for that miracle from the Irish — another Dwight Clay moment that UCLA’s dominant basketball program of the 70s never saw coming.

With Notre Dame, there’s always that prayer’s chance.

But the Irish prayers have already been answered. Only Dr. Lou can diagnose how Notre Dame, unranked to start the season, is 12-0. Great defense gets you only so far. Eventually, you have to score.

Kelly has done a great job. Three years ago under Charlie Weis, Notre Dame was 6-6 and trying to explain losses to Navy, Pittsburgh and Connecticut.

Put the Irish in the Big Ten this year and undoubtedly they come out with a conference title.

Notre Dame showed its mettle by beating Oklahoma and Stanford, even holding off upset-minded Pitt.

Who saw the Irish kicking Miami 41-3 at midseason?

Good things happen to those who believe. It’s more than the luck of the Irish.

But beating Alabama just isn’t happening. The Tide is a match for Notre Dame’s defense, coaching, even pedigree.

And while its offense won’t soon be confused with Oregon’s attack, Alabama can be steady and consistent and effective.

Championship game experience also has a crimson tint.

Tough tilts with Texas A&M, Georgia and LSU have prepared Alabama with a solid chin to take the Fighting Irish’s best punch.

And despite how tiresome it’s become, the SEC will continue to rule college football.

Alabama is more than a touchdown favorite and some in the media figure Notre Dame might be a good bet with the points.

Don’t be fooled. Alabama could score 17 and still cover. Las Vegas books don’t stay in business by getting the spreads wrong.

“I think it’s pretty clear when people talk about college football, they point to the SEC,” said Kelly, prophesying about this moment 1 1/2 years ago in Hilton Head.

“If you want to change that perception, you have to do something about it. You just can’t talk about it. You have to beat those SEC teams when the opportunity arises.”